Bitcoin ETF Approval Prospects Fuel Cryptocurrency-Related ETF Momentum
The surge in Bitcoin, the largest cryptocurrency by market value, climbing over 16% in the past week is sparking speculation that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) could finally greenlight a spot bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF). Some experts suggest this much-anticipated event may be only months away.
Although it remains uncertain if this would trigger a "buy the rumor, sell the news" response, it is generally agreed that a spot bitcoin ETF would benefit the digital currency's price. Moreover, the introduction of such a product in the U.S. market could potentially attract a wave of new participants, particularly among retail investors who've been hesitant to embrace cryptocurrency due to technological concerns. A spot bitcoin ETF might be the catalyst to democratize the asset class, similar to the influence exerted by gold ETFs.
While the SEC's decision is pending, here are some ETFs in the cryptocurrency space that investors might consider:
Bitwise Crypto Industry Innovators ETF (BITQ)
BITQ is an equity-based ETF that holds a portfolio of stocks closely associated with the cryptocurrency sector, experiencing a 9.28% gain over the past week. Its holdings include companies like Microstrategy and Coinbase, with a significant portion of its lineup comprised of crypto miners. Recent reports from JPMorgan indicate that some miners are making advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) due to their native supercomputing capabilities, potentially expanding the industry beyond just bitcoin mining.
ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF (BITO)
As one of the original futures-backed bitcoin ETFs, BITO has remained relevant, especially since bitcoin futures are directly linked to the cryptocurrency's price movements. It is expected that BITO would further benefit from the approval of a spot bitcoin ETF. Notably, bitcoin's correlation with stocks has been decreasing, while its correlation with gold is on the rise, reinforcing the idea of bitcoin as "digital gold."
VanEck Ethereum Strategy ETF (EFUT)
In contrast to bitcoin ETFs, EFUT is focused on ethereum, the second-largest cryptocurrency. It is part of the new generation of futures-based ethereum ETFs that have entered the market, reflecting growing regulatory acceptance of non-bitcoin cryptocurrency ETFs. This might indicate potential for similar ETFs if a spot bitcoin ETF is approved. Ethereum stands out as an attractive investment with its unique features and fundamental appeal in the world of cryptocurrencies.
It's evident that the prospect of a spot bitcoin ETF is driving momentum in the cryptocurrency-related ETF space, promising interesting developments in the near future.